How long ago did the most recent period of glaciation occur?

The most recent period of glaciation, known as the Last Glacial Maximum, occurred approximately 18,000 years ago. During this time, massive ice sheets covered significant portions of North America, Europe, and Asia, impacting the geography and climate of the planet. Understanding this timeframe is crucial because it explains many geological features we see today, such as glacial lakes and moraines. The influence of glaciation can also be seen in the distribution of ecosystems and human settlement patterns in regions that were previously covered by ice. This knowledge helps us comprehend the Earth's climatic history and the ongoing changes due to current climate trends.